Short Reading Comprehension & Unseen Passage for Class 5 with Answers

Here are three original passages with answers. Each is a short passage for class 5, so students can try them in about ten minutes.

Passage 1: The Little Banyan Tree

Near Riya’s school stood an old banyan tree. Its roots hung down like long brown ropes, and its leaves gave cool shade to everyone. During the break, children played games under it. Birds made their homes among its branches, while squirrels scampered up and down its sturdy trunk.

One summer, a strong storm broke a large branch. Riya felt sad and told her teacher. The next day the whole class is there around the tree. They watered its roots, cleaned the fallen leaves and planted a small sapling beside it. “Every tree needs friends,” said the teacher.

Months later, the sapling grew taller, and the old banyan looked happy again.

Questions

1. What did the roots of the banyan tree look like?
2. Who lived in the branches of the tree?
3. Why did Riya feel sad?
4. What did the class do to help the tree?
5. Find a word in the passage that means “gathered.”
6. Write True or False: The storm happened in winter.
7. Suggest a suitable title for the passage.

Answers

1. They looked like long brown ropes.
2. Birds made their homes among its branches, while squirrels scampered up and down its sturdy trunk.
3. A strong storm had broken a large branch of the tree.
4. They watered the roots, cleaned the fallen leaves and planted a sapling.
5. Gathered (the word “gathered” itself appears; a similar meaning is “assembled”).
6. False. It happened in summer.
7. “Friends of the Banyan Tree” (any suitable title is accepted).

Passage 2: A Day at the Science Fair

Aman was nervous on the day of the school science fair. He had built a small water filter using sand, pebbles and cotton. His friends laughed at his simple model, but Aman did not give up.

When the judges arrived, he poured muddy water into the top of the filter. Slowly, clear water dripped into the glass below. The judges were delighted by his idea. One of them remarked that even simple solutions could address major challenges. Aman secured second place and realized that self-confidence is just as important as intelligence and creativity. 

Questions

1. What materials did Aman use for his filter?
2. How did Aman feel before the fair?
3. What did the judges see when the muddy water was poured?
4. Which prize did Aman win?
5. What lesson did Aman learn?
6. Write the opposite of the word “simple.”

Answers

1. Sand, pebbles and cotton.
2. He felt nervous.
3. Clear water dripped into the glass below.
4. Second prize.
5. Confidence matters as much as cleverness.
6. Complex (or difficult).

Passage 3: The Honey Bee

Honey bees are small insects, but they work very hard. A single hive can hold thousands of bees, and each one has a job. Some bees collect nectar from flowers, some guard the hive, and others take care of the baby bees.

When a bee finds a good patch of flowers, it returns to the hive and does a special “waggle dance.” This dance tells the other bees where to find the flowers. Bees also help the planet because they carry pollen from flower to flower, which helps plants grow fruits and seeds.

Questions

1. What do bees collect from flowers?
2. Name one job of a bee inside the hive.
3. What is the “waggle dance” used for?
4. How do bees help plants?
5. Pick the correct option: Bees are (a) lazy (b) hardworking (c) noisy.

Answers

1. Nectar.
2. Guarding the hive or caring for baby bees.
3. It tells other bees where to find flowers.
4. They carry pollen from flower to flower, which helps plants grow fruits and seeds.
5. (b) hardworking.